Dawn French 'Longs For Old Figure' After Weight Loss

Shrinking actress Dawn French has been drawing admiring glances since losing weight but despite losing more than seven stone, the star admits she misses her old body.

The former The Vicar of Dibley star has admitted she was happy in her own skin before her weight loss.

Speaking to Woman magazine, she said: "I have a great fondness for that other body. I knew it very well and I don't know this one as well, not yet.

"I was never actually unhappy then so it's not the case that I was miserable and I'm happy now.

"The fact is, I'm still a fat woman. I'm still stones over my BMI index or whatever it's called. I never even knew such a thing existed until people started telling me there was a weight you're supposed to be."

The star, who previously weighed 20 stone, is back on television screens in the second series of BBC2 sitcom Roger & Val Have Just Got In, but she admits it is strange seeing her new slimline figure on the small screen.

She said: "I've lost 7st 7lb now. I don't want to lose much more but it's funny looking at Roger & Val - because I look so different now."

On her new healthy regime, she said: "I don't eat bread, potatoes or pasta now. I don't have chocolate in my house. That is really hard. I was at a mate's birthday party last weekend and there was amazing food all around me, so I had bit of everything.

"I don't feel guilty though. I don't do anything punishing."

However, the star's dieting quest has been questioned by television presenter Anne Diamond, who famously had a gastric band fitted in 2006 in a bid to shed some pounds.

In an episode of Roger & Val Have Just Got In, Dawn's character is seen to thank Anne for encouraging her with her new healthy lifestyle.

"I don’t even like to call it dating, like some teenager, I’m just trying to have a bit of fun every now and again."

The full interview with Dawn French appears in this week's Woman magazine, on sale today.

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Shave-headed model Amber Rose has a notorious ample behind - one that she puts to good use in her numerous photo shoots and music videos. (Pic: Film Magic)

Second in the poll conducted by WENN was the lady who coined the term bootylicious, Miss Beyonce Knowles herself. When B and her Destiny's Child band mates sang 'is my body too bootylicious for ya babe', we doubt they knew what a phenomenon they were starting. (Pic: AP)

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It would be hard not to notice Kelly Brook's pert rear seeing as she seems to spend very little time with her clothes on. However, when glamour model Kelly does get dressed, she still manages to show off her backside and the curves that have given her an army of lad mag-loving male fans the length and breadth of Britain. (Pic: bauergriffinonline.com)

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Reality star Kim Kardashian is famous for very little else apart from her sizeable derriere, being Paris Hilton's one-time bff, and an internet sex tape. The lynchpin of the now infamous Kardashian sisters (none of whom are lacking in behind) Kim has taken the big booty to new levels, proving you can be a global star just because of your backside. (Pic: FilmMagic)

Wacky singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj featuring in a song called 'Bottoms Up' in 2011. Figures! (Pic: Film Magic)

A Barbadian native with a fierce body to be proud of (in her song 'I'm Not Stupid', she admits to never being a size 10 in her life), Rihanna isn't shy about showing off her shapely booty. Just witness the miniscule shorts she wears in her Rude Boy video, or the barely-there daring outfits she sports on stage on her current world tour. (Pic: Getty)

When she's not blowing away lesser players on court, American tennis champion Serena Williams is partial to a fancy frock - like this booty-hugging number. (Pic: Getty)

She shakes it around enough on stage and Colombian singing superstar Shakira is as famous for her booty as she is for her music. Take into account her mix of Latin beats, belly dancing and hip shaking, and it's no surprise Shakira was chosen to record and perform the official World Cup song last year. What better way to keep all those football-loving men happy? (Pic: bauergriffinonline.com)